FoundationsFoundationsChapter 1

What is interpersonal What is interpersonal communication?communication?NatureElements Principles

IPC = Interpersonal Communication

Nature of IPCNature of IPCInterdependent – takes place

between people who have an established relationship

Relationship – The relationship influences the communication… and the communication influences the relationship

Nature of IPCNature of IPCContinuum that ranges from

impersonal to interpersonal (intimate)◦Role vs Personal info◦Societal vs Personal rules◦Social vs Personal messages

Nature of IPCNature of IPCVerbal & Nonverbal MessagesForms – Synchronous and

asynchronous Choice Points

Elements of IPCElements of IPCSource-receiver

◦CompetenceEncoding-decodingMessage

◦Metamessages Feedback Feedforward

Channel

ElementsElementsNoise

◦ Physical ◦ Physiological◦ Psychological◦ Semantic

Context◦ Physical◦ Temporal◦ Social-Psychological◦ Cultural◦ Ethics

Nature of IPCNature of IPCSome communication messages

are more effective than other messages

Principles of IPCPrinciples of IPC1. IPC is a transactional process2. IPC is purposeful3. IPC is ambiguous4. IP relationships are symmetrical

or complementary

PrinciplesPrinciples5. IPC refers to content and

relationship6. IPC is a series of punctuated

events7. IPC is inevitable, irreversible,

unrepeatable

IPC refers to Content and IPC refers to Content and RelationshipRelationshipThis is one that is often confusing

– see p 22 – 23 for an example conversation with both dimensions…

Content vs RelationshipContent vs RelationshipAll IP communication has both

elements◦Example:

Your favorite movie is “Titanic” Your friend says “Oh that movie is so

stupid” Your feelings are hurt b/c you interpret

that to mean your friend thinks you are stupid.

Your friend doesn’t understand – the opinion was about the movie, not you.

Content: Titanic is a stupid movieRelationship: Does that mean

you think I’m stupid!?!?Lesson: We have to be careful

not to add content that isn’t there, but also think about how our comments impact the relationship.

PrinciplesPrinciples5. IPC refers to content and

relationship6. IPC is a series of punctuated

events7. IPC is inevitable, irreversible,

unrepeatable